Anyone who appreciates the thunderous sound of an assertive baritone sax should love New Beginnings, an emphatic quartet date that shines a light on Jason Marshall's muscular horn and keeps it there from start to finish.
While his teammates (Marc Cary, piano; Gerald Cannon, bass; Willie Jones III, drums) converse eloquently on every one of the album's eight numbers, Marshall affixes a decisive exclamation mark on every sentence. He does so with exceptional technique and a seemingly endless store of intuitive phrases. For comparison's sake, think Nick Brignola, Cecil Payne or Pepper Adams but with somewhat more weight. Even when Marshall visits the upper register, he never loses control or overpasses his destination.
As Marshall seems most comfortable at medium-to-up-tempo, there is only one number that leans close to balladry: Quincy Jones' soulful "Fallen Feathers," based on Charlie Parker's "Parker's Mood." All other numbers are sunny and swinging, from Joe Henderson's "Recorda Me" to the nimble finale, "I'll Never Stop Loving You" (which is usually slow-walked as an earnest avowal of endearment). In between are animated versions of Rodgers and Hart's "I Could Write a Book," Sonny Rollins' "Airegin," Luis Bonfa's "Black Orpheus," Charles Mingus' "Peggy's Blue Skylight" and a spunky original by Marshall, "Mrs. Garvey, Mrs. Garvey!!"
Cary, Cannon and Jones are always in step and supportive, while Cary designs several refreshing solos of his own and Cannon and Jones are given more than one chance to sparkle. Even so, it is Marshall's formidable baritone that holds the reins and lends the session the lion's share of its identity and import. That is not meant to impugn the rhythm section, merely to point out that when it comes to tempting the ear, it's hard to challenge a baritone sax—especially one as fluent and powerful as Jason Marshall's. New Beginnings rests for the most part on his shoulders, and he carries the weight with aptitude and assurance.
By Jack Bowers - https://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/member.php?id=102
December 10, 2022
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/new-beginnings-jason-marshall-cellar-records
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Cualquiera que aprecie el atronador sonido de un asertivo saxo barítono debería adorar New Beginnings, una enfática cita en cuarteto que ilumina la musculosa trompa de Jason Marshall y la mantiene ahí de principio a fin.
Mientras sus compañeros (Marc Cary, piano; Gerald Cannon, bajo; Willie Jones III, batería) conversan elocuentemente en cada uno de los ocho números del álbum, Marshall pone un signo de exclamación decisivo en cada frase. Lo hace con una técnica excepcional y un acervo aparentemente interminable de frases intuitivas. Para comparar, piense en Nick Brignola, Cecil Payne o Pepper Adams, pero con algo más de peso. Incluso cuando Marshall visita el registro superior, nunca pierde el control ni sobrepasa su destino.
Como Marshall parece sentirse más cómodo en un tempo medio-alto, sólo hay un número que se acerca a la balada: La conmovedora "Fallen Feathers" de Quincy Jones, basada en "Parker's Mood" de Charlie Parker. Todos los demás números son alegres y llenos de swing, desde "Recorda Me" de Joe Henderson hasta el ágil final, "I'll Never Stop Loving You" (que suele caminarse despacio como una sincera declaración de afecto). Entre medias hay animadas versiones de "I Could Write a Book", de Rodgers y Hart, "Airegin", de Sonny Rollins, "Black Orpheus", de Luis Bonfa, "Peggy's Blue Skylight", de Charles Mingus, y una atrevida original de Marshall, "Mrs. Garvey, Mrs. Garvey!".
Cary, Cannon y Jones están siempre acompasados y se apoyan, mientras que Cary diseña varios solos propios refrescantes y Cannon y Jones tienen más de una oportunidad para brillar. Aun así, es el formidable barítono de Marshall el que lleva las riendas y confiere a la sesión la mayor parte de su identidad e importancia. Con esto no pretendo impugnar la sección rítmica, simplemente señalar que cuando se trata de tentar al oído, es difícil desafiar a un saxo barítono, especialmente a uno tan fluido y potente como el de Jason Marshall. New Beginnings descansa en su mayor parte sobre sus hombros, y lleva el peso con aptitud y seguridad.
Por Jack Bowers - https://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/member.php?id=102
10 de diciembre de 2022
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/new-beginnings-jason-marshall-cellar-records